Oxford University Chabad Society closes traditional gap between faculty & students at Oxford

Oxford University Chabad Society closes traditional gap between faculty and students at Oxford.

Oxford University Chabad Society hosted its first Faculty Shabbat dinner at the Oxford Chabad David Slager Centre for over 70 faculty and students. The guest speaker was leading geneticist and former Principal of Hertford College, Sir Walter Bodmer, who spoke on the subject of Jewish Genes and the genetic makeup of the people of the British Isles. The dinner was attended by Heads of Colleges, professors, lecturers and students.

Despite the traditional gap between faculty and students in Oxford, the event gave the opportunity for students to mingle with Heads of Colleges and faculty, socialising until early hours of the morning.

The event was particularly important, as it comes at a time when Jewish students are feeling increasingly threatened on campus by imbalanced anti-Israel debates and the hosting of far-right speakers, such as Holocaust denier, David Irving, and Nick Griffin of the BNP, at the Oxford Union.

Rabbi Eli Brackman, director of OU Chabad Society, who has condemned the hosting of David Irving at the Oxford Union to the local Oxford press, spoke about the fluctuation of Jewish history and emphasised that after every difficulty the Jewish people have come out a stronger people. Quoting Jewish mysticism, he emphasised that every descent must lead to a greater ascent.

The next faculty Shabbat dinner is planned for the next academic term for which the Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. John Hood, has been invited to speak on the subject of Academic Freedom.